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How Many Candidates Qualify for UPSC Mains 2025? A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for the UPSC Mains 2025 based on their performance in the Preliminary Examination. Out of them, 2,736 candidates have been shortlisted for the Interview/Personality Test round. The number of Mains qualifiers usually depends on the total vacancies, which for 2025 stand at 979, and follows UPSC’s trend of selecting around 12–14 times the number of vacancies for the Mains stage.
How many candidates qualify for UPSC Mains 2025 has now been officially announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A total of 14,161 candidates have been shortlisted for the Mains stage based on their performance in the Preliminary Examination. This number is determined by the important UPSC Prelims-to-Mains ratio. It is maintained between 12 to 14 times the total number of notified vacancies. Understanding this ratio and analyzing previous year trends. It includes the number of applicants, exam takers, and shortlisted candidates. These insights help aspirants assess competition and make proper strategy for upcoming stages.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted in three stages with Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Qualifying for the Mains exam is the most critical step. It transitions an aspirant from the high-attrition, multiple-choice Prelims stage to the intensive and descriptive stage. The number of candidates who qualify for the UPSC Mains is decided based on the official UPSC rule. As per the qualification rule, the number of candidates declared qualified for the Mains examination is approximately 12 to 14 times the total number of vacancies to be filled in that particular year. As per the UPSC CSE 2025 vacancies the total number of vacancies for the UPSC CSE 2025 cycle is officially 979.
Based on these figures, here is the projected calculation for how many candidates qualify for UPSC Mains 2025:
| How Many Candidates Qualify for UPSC Mains 2025 | ||
| Parameter | Calculation | Actual / Expected Number |
| Total UPSC CSE 2025 Vacancies | — | 979 |
| Lower End of Qualification (12x) | 979 × 12 | 11,748 Candidates |
| Higher End of Qualification (14x) | 979 × 14 | 13,706 Candidates |
| Actual Number Qualified for Mains 2025 | — | 14,161 Candidates |
| Projected Ratio | 14,161 ÷ 979 | ≈ 14.46x |
The official results for the UPSC CSE 2025 Preliminary Examination have been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). According to the latest data, 14,161 candidates have qualified for the Mains stage. The table below summarizes the official and projected statistics for the 2025 cycle.
The table below provides statistics for the 2025 cycle,.
| UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Qualified Candidates Statistics | ||
| UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Stage | Status | Projected/Expected Number |
| Total Candidates Applied | Pre-Exam | 12.5 Lakh – 14.5 Lakh |
| Total Candidates Appeared for Prelims | Pre-Exam | 5.5 Lakh – 7.5 Lakh |
| Candidates Qualified for Mains | Post-Prelims Result | 14,161 (Official) |
| Total Vacancies | Official | 979 |
Analyzing previous year statistics is important to understand the competition level of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The data below illustrates the filtering process between the Prelims and Mains stages.
| UPSC CSE Previous Years Qualified Candidates Statistics | ||||
| Session | Total Candidates Applied | Candidates Appeared for Prelims | Candidates Qualified for Mains | Total Vacancies |
| 2024 | ~13.4 Lakh | N/A (High est.) | 14,627 | 1,105 |
| 2023 | ~13.0 Lakh | 5,92,141 (Official) | 14,624 | 1,105 |
| 2022 | 11,52,000 | 5,73,735 | 13,090 | 1,011 |
| 2021 | 10,93,948 | 5,08,619 | 9,214 | 712 |
| 2020 | 10,40,060 | 4,82,770 | 10,564 | 796 |
Note: Data for Applied and Appeared candidates often varies slightly across sources. The Qualified for Mains and Vacancies figures are consistent with official announcements.
The UPSC CSE 2024 examination saw an increase in the number of candidates qualifying for the Mains stage compared to 2023. Here is the statistics for UPSC CSE 2024 prelims:
| UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims Statistics | |
| Particulars | UPSC CSE 2024 Statistics |
| Total Vacancies Announced | 1,105 |
| Total Candidates Applied | Estimated 13.4 Lakh |
| Prelims Exam Date | June 16, 2024 |
| Prelims Result Date | July 1, 2024 |
| Candidates Qualified for Mains | 14,627 |
The UPSC CSE 2023 cycle had the highest number of qualified candidates for the Mains exam in recent years. Also, there were a high number of vacancies. Here is the statistics for cse 2023 prelims:
| UPSC CSE 2023 Prelims Statistics | |
| Particulars | UPSC CSE 2023 Statistics |
| Total Vacancies Announced | 1,105 |
| Total Candidates Applied | Estimated 13.0 Lakh |
| Candidates Appeared for Prelims | 5,92,141 |
| Prelims Exam Date | May 28, 2023 |
| Candidates Qualified for Mains | 14,624 |
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In 2022, the qualification ratio was strictly followed. It resulted in a predictable number of candidates moving to the Mains stage. Here are the statistics for CSE 2022 prelims:
| UPSC CSE 2022 Prelims Statistics | |
| Particulars | UPSC CSE 2022 Statistics |
| Total Vacancies Announced | 1,011 |
| Total Candidates Applied | 11,35,697 |
| Candidates Appeared for Prelims | 5,73,735 |
| Prelims Exam Date | June 5, 2022 |
| Candidates Qualified for Mains | 13,090 |
The following table provides important statistics related to the UPSC Mains 2025 exam. It includes the number of candidates who appeared, qualified, and advanced via multiple stages of the selection process. These figures mention the competitive nature of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 from prelims to the Interview stage.
| UPSC Mains 2025 Statistics | ||
| Question | Shortest Answer | Stage |
| how many candidates appeared for upsc exam 2025 | Approx 13.4 Lakhs | Total candidates who appeared for the Prelims exam. |
| how many candidates give upsc exam 2025 | Approx 13.4 Lakhs | Total candidates who appeared for the Prelims exam. |
| how many people qualified for upsc mains 2025 | 14,161 | Candidates who cleared the Prelims and were eligible for the Mains. |
| how many candidates selected for upsc mains 2025 | 14,161 | Candidates who cleared the Prelims and were eligible for the Mains. |
| how many candidates applied for upsc mains 2025 | 14,161 | Candidates who filled the DAF-I after clearing the Prelims. |
| how many candidates appeared for upsc mains 2025 | 14,161 | Candidates who took the Mains written exam (August 22 – 31, 2025). |
| how many people write upsc mains 2025 | 14,161 | Candidates who took the Mains written exam. |
| how many candidates cleared upsc mains 2025 | 2,736 | Candidates who qualified for the Personality Test stage. |
| how many candidates qualify for upsc mains | 14,161 | Candidates who cleared the Prelims and reached the Mains stage. |
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The official number of candidates who qualified for the UPSC Mains 2025 is 14,161 as per the announcement by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The total number of aspirants who applied for the UPSC Prelims 2025 is expected to be around 12.5 lakh to 14.5 lakh.
The number of candidates who appeared for the UPSC Prelims 2025 is around 50% of the applicants. Therefore, the estimated number of candidates who appeared is likely to be between 5.5 lakh and 7.5 lakh.
The UPSC consistently selects candidates for the Mains exam at a ratio of approximately 12 to 14 times the total number of vacancies announced for Civil Services Examination of that year.
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